Steering Gearbox Installation

Steering Gearbox Installation

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations Locations, and the precautions and procedures Service and Repair before doing repairs or service.

1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the steering gearbox and front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and bolt holes.

2. Install the power steering line mounting bracket (A).






3. Pass the cylinder of the steering gearbox (A) together with the tie-rods (B) through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.






4. Carefully move the steering gearbox toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft (A) clears the wheelwell opening (B) on the body. Continue moving the gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position.

NOTE: Make sure the power steering return hose is routed between the gearbox and right tie-rod.






5. Install the pinion shaft grommet (A).





6. Insert the pinion shaft up through the bulkhead, and place the steering gearbox on the mounting brackets. Be sure that the pinion shaft grommet is in place securely.

7. Loosely install the flange bolts (A) and washers (B) on the driver's side of the gearbox.






8. Install the mounting cushion (A) on the passenger's side of the gearbox. Position the cutout (B) on the mounting cushion as shown.





9. Install the mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion.

10. Install the flange bolt and nut loosely first, then tighten the flange bolt and nut alternately in two or more steps.

11. Tighten the driver's side flange bolts to the specified torque.






12. Install the body stiffener (A).






13. Loosely connect the flare nut (A) to the valve body unit, and install the inlet line (B) on the power steering line mounting bracket (C). Connect the power steering pressure switch connector (D).






14. Connect the return hose (A) to the return line joint (B) securely. Install the return hose clamp (C) on the steering gearbox.





15. Install the return hose on the hose holders (D) securely.

16. Tighten the flare nut (A) to the specified torque, and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (B).






17. Reinstall the engine wire harness clamp (A) and clip (B) to the mounting brackets.






18. Install the heat shield (A).






19. Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Reconnect the tie-rod end ball joints (A) to the damper steering arms. Install the nut (B), and tighten it to the specified torque.





20. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown.

21. Install the upper end of the steering joint (A) onto the steering shaft (B) (line up the bolt hole (C) with the flat portion (D) on the shaft).





22. Slip the lower end of the steering joint (E) onto the pinion shaft (F).

23. Align the bolt hole on the steering joint with the groove (G) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (H). Be sure that the lower steering joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.

24. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then install the upper steering joint bolt (I) and tighten it to the specified torque.

25. Tighten the lower steering joint bolt to the specified torque.

26. Install the driver's dashboard lower cover Driver's Dashboard Lower Cover Removal/Installation.

27. Install the front wheel, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.

NOTE: Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

28. Install the steering wheel Steering Wheel Installation, and driver's airbag Driver's Airbag Replacement.

29. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system Testing and Inspection.

30. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure, and check these items:

- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and check that the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds, and then goes off.
- Make sure the horn and turn signal switches work properly.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.

31. After installation, check these items:

- Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Leakage Inspection.
- Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If the steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft splines.
- Set the steering column to the center tilt position, then do the front toe inspection Service and Repair.